A concession agreement on exploration of gold and various minerals was signed at the premises of the Ministry of Minerals between the government of Sudan and the Qatari Mining Company. The Minister of Minerals Kamal Abdal-Latif signed on behalf of the government of Sudan whereas the Qatari State Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company Al-Skeikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Attiya signed for his company. Abdal-Latif revealed that the agreement represented a contract of future strategic partnership between the company and his ministry. The agreement covered 4 blocks, one at the Red Sea State and the other three at the North Kordofan State. The minister pledged to put all capabilities of his ministry at the disposition of the company for realization of hopes and aspirations of the two peoples in the two countries, affirming that this project is a beginning for other projects in different domains. Al-Sheikh Al-Attiya, meanwhile, said that the project came as an embodiment for their faith in the establishment of powerful Sudan to support his nation, stressing that his country will do everything in its ability to achieve the desired goals. He pointed out that this project represented the first joint cooperation between the two countries in the field of mining and it will be a model to followed in the entire region. Al-Sheikh Al-Attiya praised the efforts of the officials in the Ministry of Minerals and their selection of suitable areas for exploration and mining.